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Plans to mass-implement Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems in new cars seem closer than ever to really happening. What’s more, Americans don’t seem to mind the idea of them. Here’s how GPS, speed limit databases, and cameras could soon monitor your vehicle speed.

ISA systems could help prevent speed-related collisions, injuries, and deaths. They alert the driver when a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit. This is especially convenient when drivers are suddenly unsure of the legal limit. This could be due to the lack of a nearby sign or forgetting the last posted number.

These systems can use a combination of technologies to understand the vehicle’s location and surroundings. They collect local speed limit information and notify the driver of excessive speed. Suggested notification methods include a specific but “pleasant” sound, such as a chime.

AEB systems are already mandated…are ISA systems next?

If mass-implemented, ISA systems would be factory-installed during production, much like automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems. AEB systems are required in all new American-market cars by 2029 via an NHTSA mandate.

While California considers requiring such tech by 2032, the EU already mandated that all new cars be equipped with ISAs starting in July 2024. The NHTSA has yet to mandate the use of ISA systems.

This month, the IIHS released an ISA system survey results with mostly positive takeaways. Mainly, it seems that Americans are comfortable with a pleasant, “gentle tone” reminder to slow down. In fact, 60% of Americans are fine with their cars emitting a visual or audible warning. About half of those surveyed about more drastic measures supported them. These included the car automatically slowing down or the gas pedal becoming harder to press. However, a number of respondents said that they would turn off the equipment if given the option.

Perhaps the combo of these survey results and the NHTSA’s gloomy stats on speed-related traffic deaths, which totaled 12,000 in 2022 alone, will quicken the adoption of standard ISA systems in new cars. Of course, the average age of cars on the road is older than ever, so it’ll be years after a mandate goes live before most Americans get hit with a nice, gentle ISA tone.

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Editor-in-Chief

Sarah Kennedy

Sarah Kennedy joined the MotorBiscuit team as managing editor in 2021 and brings with her a bevy of automotive expertise. She’s an ASE-Certified Automotive Service Consultant and licensed car salesperson with over a decade of shop operations experience.

Sarah was the creator of “Shop Smarts” for MOTOR Magazine and was a contributor from 2013 to 2020. Her work earned her a Gold Medalist award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors in 2014 and Bronze Medalist awards from the International Automotive Media Competition in 2014 and 2015.

She has attended the Automotive Management Institute and earned her bachelor’s degree in English from The Ohio State University.